8-Year-Old Girl's Killer Identified 65 Years Later as Chicago Cop Turned Homicide Detective

Chicago police have identified former officer Thomas Francis McInerney as the man they believe killed 8-year-old Gloria Kowalewicz in 1960, bringing new answers to a case that remained unsolved for more than 65 years, the Chicago Tribune reported on 11 October 2026.

McInerney was 24 when Gloria was killed on 12 November 1960. According to the outlet, investigators cited DNA evidence, a fingerprint match, and records indicating that McInerney had owned three Colt revolvers of the type used in the killing. An Army veteran who served on the Chicago Police Department for 28 years, McInerney died in 2006 without being prosecuted for the killing.

A Short Walk to Church Ended in Tragedy

Gloria was last seen leaving her West Englewood home for the short walk to St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church, where she planned to receive communion. Her body was found later that day in a secluded area in Palos Park, several miles from home. She had been shot twice in the head.

The killing prompted an extensive search involving local and state police, firefighters, Boy Scouts, and military veterans. Investigators interviewed witnesses and gathered evidence, including fingerprints from Gloria's purse strap and Bible. Witnesses reportedly described seeing a young man with a girl matching Gloria's description, but investigators were unable to identify a suspect.

DNA Technology Cracks the Case

DNA testing of semen recovered from Gloria's dress produced a male DNA profile, according to the Chicago Tribune. Investigators submitted the profile to the FBI's national DNA database, but the initial searches did not identify the killer.

In 2024, investigators submitted Gloria's coat to the FBI for investigative genetic genealogy, a technique that compares DNA with genetic information from family-tree databases to identify potential relatives and generate investigative leads.

In July 2026, investigators said they had positively identified McInerney as the source of the semen recovered from Gloria's dress, according to the Chicago Tribune. Investigators also compared fingerprints from McInerney's 1959 police application with a fingerprint recovered from Gloria's purse strap and reported a match.

Investigators also noted that McInerney had owned three Colt revolvers of the type used in the killing. Police said the DNA evidence, fingerprint comparison, and firearm information led investigators to identify McInerney as the man they believe killed Gloria.

'We Don't Forget', Chicago Police Detective Chief Says

Chicago Police Department Chief of Detectives Kevin Bruno praised the investigators who kept the case alive across generations. 'It just shows you that we don't forget, and these guys never stopped,' he said, crediting their persistence and the use of new technology.

The identification of a former police officer as the suspected killer made the case particularly troubling for the department. Bruno said, 'The fact that he was a police officer is deeply troubling to all of us that have made a career out of this most noble profession.'

He added, 'As far as we're concerned, he's a murderer who was acting as a police officer.'

Family Gets Answers but No Justice

Gloria's brother, Adam Kowalewicz, said the identification brought relief to the family and gave him hope that their late parents could finally rest. However, McInerney died in 2006, before investigators publicly identified him in connection with the killing, meaning he could never stand trial for Gloria's death. 'He never paid his dues,' Adam said. 'You hope he's going to pay his dues with the good lord.'

Investigators said McInerney had no known prior contact with Gloria and was not suspected of involvement in other crimes. Although the identification has given the family long-awaited answers, his motive remains unclear.